Wisdom 7

NEW JERUSALEM	VULGATA
1 I too am mortal like everyone else, a descendant of the first man formed from the earth. I was model edin flesh inside a mother's womb,	1 Sum quidem et ego mortalis homo, similis omnibus, et ex genere terreni illius qui prior factus est : et in ventre matris figuratus sum caro ;
2 where, for ten months, in blood I acquired substance -- the result of virile seed and pleasure, sleep'scompanion.	2 decem mensium tempore coagulatus sum in sanguine : ex semine hominis, et delectamento somni conveniente.
3 I too, when I was born, drew in the common air, I fel on the same ground that bears us al , and cryingwas the first sound I made, like everyone else.	3 Et ego natus accepi communem aërem, et in similiter factam decidi terram, et primam vocem similem omnibus emisi plorans.
4 I was nurtured in swaddling clothes, with every care.	4 In involumentis nutritus sum, et curis magnis :
5 No king has known any other beginning of existence;	5 nemo enim ex regibus aliud habuit nativitatis initium.
6 for there is only one way into life, and one way out of it.	6 Unus ergo introitus est omnibus ad vitam, et similis exitus.
7 And so I prayed, and understanding was given me; I entreated, and the spirit of Wisdom came to me.	7 Propter hoc optavi, et datus est mihi sensus ; et invocavi, et venit in me spiritus sapientiæ :
8 I esteemed her more than sceptres and thrones; compared with her, I held riches as nothing.	8 et præposui illam regnis et sedibus, et divitias nihil esse duxi in comparatione illius.
9 I reckoned no precious stone to be her equal, for compared with her, al gold is a pinch of sand, andbeside her, silver ranks as mud.	9 Nec comparavi illi lapidem pretiosum, quoniam omne aurum in comparatione illius arena est exigua, et tamquam lutum æstimabitur argentum in conspectu illius.
10 I loved her more than health or beauty, preferred her to the light, since her radiance never sleeps.	10 Super salutem et speciem dilexi illam, et proposui pro luce habere illam, quoniam inextinguibile est lumen illius.
11 In her company al good things came to me, and at her hands incalculable wealth.	11 Venerunt autem mihi omnia bona pariter cum illa, et innumerabilis honestas per manus illius ;
12 All these delighted me, since Wisdom brings them, though I did not then realise that she was theirmother.	12 et lætatus sum in omnibus, quoniam antecedebat me ista sapientia, et ignorabam quoniam horum omnium mater est.
13 What I learned diligently, I shal pass on liberally, I shal not conceal how rich she is.	13 Quam sine fictione didici, et sine invidia communico, et honestatem illius non abscondo.
14 For she is to human beings an inexhaustible treasure, and those who acquire this win God'sfriendship, commended to him by the gifts of instruction.	14 Infinitus enim thesaurus est hominibus ; quo qui usi sunt, participes facti sunt amicitiæ Dei, propter disciplinæ dona commendati.
15 May God grant me to speak as he would wish and conceive thoughts worthy of the gifts I havereceived, since he is both guide to Wisdom and director of sages;	15 Mihi autem dedit Deus dicere ex sententia, et præsumere digna horum quæ mihi dantur : quoniam ipse sapientiæ dux est, et sapientium emendator.
16 for we are in his hand, yes, ourselves and our sayings, and al intellectual and al practical knowledge.	16 In manu enim illius et nos et sermones nostri, et omnis sapientia, et operum scientia, et disciplina.
17 He it was who gave me sure knowledge of what exists, to understand the structure of the world andthe action of the elements,	17 Ipse enim dedit mihi horum quæ sunt scientiam veram, ut sciam dispositionem orbis terrarum, et virtutes elementorum,
18 the beginning, end and middle of the times, the alternation of the solstices and the succession of theseasons,	18 initium, et consummationem, et medietatem temporum, vicissitudinum permutationes, et commutationes temporum,
19 the cycles of the year and the position of the stars,	19 anni cursus, et stellarum dispositiones,
20 the natures of animals and the instincts of wild beasts, the powers of spirits and human mentalprocesses, the varieties of plants and the medical properties of roots.	20 naturas animalium, et iras bestiarum, vim ventorum, et cogitationes hominum, differentias virgultorum, et virtutes radicum.
21 And now I understand everything, hidden or visible, for Wisdom, the designer of all things, hasinstructed me.	21 Et quæcumque sunt absconsa et improvisa didici : omnium enim artifex docuit me sapientia.
22 For within her is a spirit intel igent, holy, unique, manifold, subtle, mobile, incisive, unsul ied, lucid,invulnerable, benevolent, shrewd,	22 Est enim in illa spiritus intelligentiæ, sanctus, unicus, multiplex, subtilis, disertus, mobilis, incoinquinatus, certus, suavis, amans bonum, acutus, quem nihil vetat, benefaciens,
23 irresistible, beneficent, friendly to human beings, steadfast, dependable, unperturbed, almighty, al -surveying, penetrating al intel igent, pure and most subtle spirits.	23 humanus, benignus, stabilis, certus, securus, omnem habens virtutem, omnia prospiciens, et qui capiat omnes spiritus, intelligibilis, mundus, subtilis.
24 For Wisdom is quicker to move than any motion; she is so pure, she pervades and permeates allthings.	24 Omnibus enim mobilibus mobilior est sapientia : attingit autem ubique propter suam munditiam.
25 She is a breath of the power of God, pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty; so nothing impurecan find its way into her.	25 Vapor est enim virtutis Dei, et emanatio quædam est claritatis omnipotentis Dei sincera, et ideo nihil inquinatum in eam incurrit :
26 For she is a reflection of the eternal light, untarnished mirror of God's active power, and image of hisgoodness.	26 candor est enim lucis æternæ, et speculum sine macula Dei majestatis, et imago bonitatis illius.
27 Although she is alone, she can do everything; herself unchanging, she renews the world, and,generation after generation, passing into holy souls, she makes them into God's friends and prophets;	27 Et cum sit una, omnia potest ; et in se permanens omnia innovat : et per nationes in animas sanctas se transfert ; amicos Dei et prophetas constituit.
28 for God loves only those who dwel with Wisdom.	28 Neminem enim diligit Deus, nisi eum qui cum sapientia inhabitat.
29 She is indeed more splendid than the sun, she outshines al the constel ations; compared with light,she takes first place,	29 Est enim hæc speciosior sole, et super omnem dispositionem stellarum : luci comparata, invenitur prior.
30 for light must yield to night, but against Wisdom evil cannot prevail.	30 Illi enim succedit nox ; sapientiam autem non vincit malitia.